Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The All Progressives Congress in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has lost its youth leader, Abubakar Abdullahi, who officially resigned his membership of the ruling party on June 4, 2026, citing personal reflection as the reason for his decision. Abdullahi, in a resignation letter dated June 4, 2026, and addressed to the chairman of his ward in Kokona LGA, expressed gratitude to the party for the opportunities he had enjoyed over the years while serving in various capacities. The resignation letter, which was made public on July 28, 2026, comes at a time when the APC in Nasarawa State is grappling with internal fractures following a contentious governorship primary election held on May 21, 2026.
Abdullahi, who until his resignation served as the APC Youth Leader for Kokona LGA, stated in his letter that his decision was made out of personal reflection, without elaborating on the specific factors that influenced his choice. He, however, expressed appreciation to the ruling party for the rare opportunity to serve in various roles over the years. The resignation takes immediate effect, marking the end of his active involvement with the party at the local government level. His departure from the APC leaves a void in the party's youth structure in Kokona, a key local government area in Nasarawa State that has traditionally been a stronghold for the ruling party.
The resignation of Abdullahi is significant given the timing and the broader political context in Nasarawa State. The APC has been grappling with internal divisions following the party's governorship primary election on May 21, 2026, which saw Governor Abdullahi Sule emerge as the candidate for the 2027 election. The primary was marred by allegations of irregularities and lack of internal democracy, leading to the defection of high-profile party members, including former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, who resigned from the APC on May 25, 2026, and joined the Social Democratic Party. Adamu's defection dealt a significant blow to the party's unity in the state and signaled deepening cracks within the APC's ranks.
Abdullahi's resignation, though framed as a personal decision, adds to the growing list of exits from the APC in Nasarawa State. In the weeks following the governorship primary, the party witnessed a wave of resignations and defections, with aggrieved members citing unfairness in the primary process and the party's failure to uphold internal democracy. The APC's Nasarawa State Chairman, Aliyu Bello, had earlier downplayed the impact of the defections, insisting that the party remained politically self-sufficient despite the exits. However, the resignation of a local government youth leader suggests that the party's grassroots structures may be experiencing strain as disaffection spreads beyond the high-profile figures who have publicly left.
The Kokona LGA youth leader's departure is particularly noteworthy because it comes from the grassroots level, where party loyalty is often tested by local dynamics and personal ambitions. Abdullahi had been a visible figure in Kokona's political landscape. In January 2024, he was mentioned as a participant in an expanded APC stakeholders' meeting in Kokona West, where the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau, drummed up support for Governor Sule and the party. Abdullahi's presence at that meeting underscored his role as a key mobiliser for the party in the local government area. His resignation, therefore, represents a loss of a grassroots organiser who could have been instrumental in rallying youth support for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The resignation letter, which was addressed to the ward chairman, followed the standard protocol for party resignations in Nigeria. Abdullahi did not indicate whether he would be joining another political party or whether he would remain politically active outside the APC. His decision to resign rather than simply step down from his position as youth leader suggests a complete break from the party, at least for now. It remains to be seen whether he will align with any of the opposition parties in Nasarawa State, such as the Social Democratic Party, which has been a destination for many disaffected APC members, or the People's Democratic Party.
The resignation also comes at a time when the APC is preparing for the 2027 general elections, with President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abdullahi Sule seeking re-election. The party's ability to maintain unity and discipline at the grassroots level will be critical to its electoral fortunes in Nasarawa State, where opposition parties have been making inroads. The SDP, in particular, has attracted several high-profile defectors from the APC, including former IGP Adamu and human rights lawyer Yahaya Dauda Kana, who resigned from the APC in April 2026 to contest the Kokona West Constituency seat under the SDP. Kana's defection was seen as a major blow to the APC in Kokona LGA, as he was a prominent figure with significant grassroots support.
Abdullahi's resignation, while not as high-profile as those of Adamu or Kana, is nonetheless symbolic of the broader discontent within the APC's ranks in Nasarawa State. The youth leader's decision to leave, citing personal reflection, may be an indication that he no longer feels aligned with the party's direction or that he has other political ambitions that are better pursued outside the APC. His resignation also raises questions about the party's ability to retain its youth base, which is crucial for mobilisation and voter turnout in elections.
The APC in Nasarawa State has yet to issue an official response to Abdullahi's resignation. However, given the party's recent experience with defections, it is likely that the leadership will seek to downplay the significance of the exit while attempting to reassure members that the party remains strong and united. The party's state chairman, Aliyu Bello, had previously dismissed concerns about the impact of defections, arguing that the APC remained politically self-sufficient. Whether the resignation of a local government youth leader will prompt a reassessment of that position remains to be seen.
For Abdullahi, his resignation marks the end of a chapter in his political career. Having served the APC in various capacities over the years, he now has the freedom to explore other political opportunities or to focus on personal endeavours. His decision to leave, made out of personal reflection, suggests that he has given careful thought to his future and has chosen a path that he believes is best for him. As the political landscape in Nasarawa State continues to evolve ahead of the 2027 elections, Abdullahi's resignation serves as a reminder that the APC's internal challenges extend beyond the high-profile defections that have made headlines. The party's ability to address the grievances of its grassroots members and restore confidence in its internal processes will be crucial to its electoral prospects in the years ahead.
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